Jackson Woman Faces More Charges of Hoarding Animals

Edna Deboard, 76, had been ordered to have no animals in her home after 50 were found there in January

by Nicky Walters

A Jackson County woman who was ordered not to own animals - has gotten herself in even more trouble.

Edna Deboard, 76, was arrested in January for having more than 50 animals in her home living in what authorities called "filthy" conditions.

At the time she was told not to get any more pets for at least five years.

But when Jackson County Sheriff's deputies searched her home recently they found more animals, police said.

Deboard now faces 12 additional counts of owning an animal after being convicted of animal cruelty.

She is free on bond..." More

Edna Deboard - West Virginia

May 2010: Jackson Woman Faces More Charges of Hoarding Animals

by Nicky Walters

Edna Deboard, 76, had been ordered to have no animals in her home after 50 were found there in January

A Jackson County woman who was ordered not to own animals - has gotten herself in even more trouble.

Edna Deboard, 76, was arrested in January for having more than 50 animals in her home living in what authorities called "filthy" conditions.

At the time she was told not to get any more pets for at least five years.

But when Jackson County Sheriff's deputies searched her home recently they found more animals, police said.

Deboard now faces 12 additional counts of owning an animal after being convicted of animal cruelty.

She is free on bond..." More

Feb 3, 2010: Shelter and Deputies animals from Silver Hills home

Jackson County Humane Officers, working in conjunction with Sheriff’s Deputies, seized 52 animals from a Silver Hills home last week after the animals were found to be living in conditions described as “filthy” and “nasty.”

According to Lt. A.J. Boggs of the Sheriff’s Department, last Monday, the Sheriff’s Department received a call from Animal Shelter Humane Office Cindy Katris with a complaint regarding the treatment of animals at the residence of Edna Deboard, 76, of Silver Hills, just outside of Ravenswood.

Katris, along with Boggs, Deputy B.L. Varney, and members of Adult Protective Services traveled to the home later that day to speak with Deboard.

Deboard allowed Katris to inspect inside the home, which Boggs described as “nasty.” Following the inspection, Katris determined the animals were living in unsanitary conditions and needed to go.

The following day, Katris, along with three other shelter employees, Boggs, Varney, and APS members returned to execute a search warrant and seize the animals located at the house.

According to Katris, there were 40 animals lodged inside the approximately 1,100 square-foot house, with additional animals located outside the home, all living in “unbearable feces and urine..." More”

Filthy Pearl home demolished

PEARL, MS (WLBT) - The home of the Pearl couple accused of hoarding animals is no longer standing. Crews knocked it down Monday morning because it was deemed unfit for human habitation.

In April, authorities discovered over 30 cats and dogs inside the home of Paula and Gerald Keyes. Four dead dogs were found in a freezer in the garage. And officials say all flooring was soaked with urine and feces.

The Keyes lived in the home on Upper Drive with a four year-old child. Some neighbors say they're glad the home is gone.

Connie Seaney told us, "I'm just grateful. Just really grateful. I just feel more comfortable and I'm not afraid anymore and I think it's just wonderful."

The Keyes pleaded no contest earlier this month to over 100 misdemeanor charges between the two of them..." More & video

Oct 14, 2009: "Animal Hoarding" couple fights to keep their home

By Cheryl Lasseter

PEARL, MS (WLBT) - On Wednesday, Paula Keyes videotaped the crews pulling all of her family's belongings out of her house, against her will.

"I'm gonna turn it over to some attorneys because I intend to sue the biohazard company and the City of Pearl," she says.

The city's mayor and board of aldermen have voted to demolish the house, deemed unfit for human habitation. Gerald and Paula Keyes were arrested back in April when authorities discovered unsanitary conditions inside. At least 28 animals lived in the home with the couple and their son, Dakota, who just turned four. Gerald and Paula both spent a few months in jail, and pleaded no contest to the charges. Dakota remains in the custody of D.H.S.

"He's in a foster home right now. We're gonna go to court, fight to get him back," Paula says. "They have refused to let us back in the home to get what's left in there."

Paula says she and Gerald were given 30 days to clean their property, but they were in jail for most of that time. She says they really only had 27 hours to work on it, which she says was not enough time to remove the 60 percent of their belongings that remained inside before Wednesday's clean-up.

Paula has submitted several appeals regarding the house demolition. All of the appeals are handwritten, and it doesn't seem they're making much of a difference..." More & video

Apr 21, 2009 Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty Ordered To Clean House

JACKSON, Miss. — A Pearl couple charged with 31 counts of animal cruelty has been given 30 days to clean up their home, which police said was covered in animal feces.

Earlier this month, investigators confiscated 31 animals from the home of Bennie and Paula Keyes in the 2200 block of Upper Drive in Pearl. Police said they found Feces covering the floor of the home and feces inside the animals’ cages. Officials also found animal corpses in the refrigerator.

Most of the animals had to be euthanized because of poor health. The three surviving dogs and a cat have been adopted…

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, the couple is each charged with one count of child neglect for keeping a 3-year-old in the home. Police haven’t said if the boy is Bennie Keyes’ biological child.

Bennie Keyes is also charged with 31 counts of failure to provide sustenance to animals, one count of possession of a schedule 3 substance, 27 counts of possession of animals above the city limit, one count of unsanitary conditions and one count of disorderly conduct. All of the charges are misdemeanors…” More, Video & Slideshow

Apr 3, 2009: Pearl man faces 28 counts of animal cruelty

GANNETT.COM BY CHRIS JOYNER AND HEATHER CIVIL

Mississippi — A Pearl man is in custody charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty after police removed dozens of dogs and cats in poor health and unsanitary conditions from a home at 2229 Upper Drive in Pearl.

Pearl police arrested Gerald Keyes around 10 p.m. Thursday after responding to a domestic disturbance call placed from inside the house.

A 3-year-old boy also was taken from the house and hospitalized for observation.

Investigators are still on the scene. In addition to the animals still alive, about eight frozen bundles believed to be animal remains were removed from a refrigerator inside the house.

Police believe more animals may be buried in the back yard. They say Keyes apparently has been practicing veterinary medicine without a license…. More

Apr 4, 2009: 28 animals found in squalid Pearl home

3-year-old living in feces-laden house with sick dogs, cats; cruelty charges faced

Pearl Animal Control officer Heather Rogers said the smell of urine was overpowering at Keyes’ home, and feces was on every surface inside the house.

“On the couch, on the floors, kennels and crates,” she said. “Not only were there animals living in those conditions, the child was living in those conditions.”

The house was declared unfit for human habitation, Pearl police Capt. Ronnie Conerly said.

Conerly said late Friday afternoon he had discovered records that officers responded to a call at Keyes’ home in 2005 requesting a welfare check on a juvenile. At that time, officers noted a bad smell and found 20 to 30 cats in the home. The investigation was turned over to Animal Control.

Apr 4, 2009: Two kittens, two puppies from Pearl home euthanized

Family members say alleged cat hoarder suffers from mental illness

There is new information about a woman who animal control says hoarded dozens of cats in her small apartment.

47 cats and a dog were seized after animal control found deplorable conditions inside the residence.

The woman, who has been identified as Lynn Jackson, has been known as an animal hoarder for at least the past seven years.

Family members say she suffers from mental illness that has been incredibly debilitating.

They say they just want their loved one to get help before the problem gets worse..." More & video

Oct 14, 2009: Woman sought for hoarding dozens of animals

by Charles Gazaway

LOUISVILLE- Authorities are searching for a woman accused of abandoning dozens of cats and a dog.

Metro Animal Services posted abandonment notices outside the apartment at 1517 Oleanda Avenue after getting complaints from neighbors. After MAS was able to get a warrant to get inside the home, they found all over four dozen animals inside living in filth.

“So you can imagine 47 cats?” said Jackie Gulbe of Metro Animal Services. “We don't know how long they were unattended, but the conditions were pretty bad.”

Metro Animal Services was able to save the cats, kittens and the dog. They will watch them for the next five days to see if they're suitable for adoption.

Officials are still looking for the owner, Lynn Jackson. When found, she will likely face charges.

If you are looking to adopt a cat, MAS is offering $25.00 off its adoption fee for cats that are six months or older until November 1..." More

Townships in Jackson County lack ordinances regarding number of pets in households

by Heidi Fenton

Machell Dunlap was overcome by a sinking feeling as she opened the door earlier this month to a house on Levant Street near Sparks Foundation County Park.

Dunlap, a Jackson County Animal Control officer, arrived days after neighbors complained of an emaciated animal and foul stench coming from the property.

As she walked inside the dark entryway, she saw why.

All the home's windows were closed and covered by blinds. Fecal and urine matter covered almost every inch of the floor from the living room — cluttered with stacks of furniture — to a bedroom, where the homeowner slept. Running water was cut off because the homeowner's well was in disrepair.

And then there were the cats — more than a dozen of them, Dunlap estimated..." More

Animals Found In Filthy Conditions In Iowa

June 30, 2009:  Des Moines, Iowa--Officials said a mother and son in Ottumwa were found living among filth, trash, and diseased animals.

Police know of at least 15 diseased cats living in an Ottumwa home and they said there could be as many as 30, they just can't find them all.

Janet Jackson, 59, and her adult dependent son lived there.

Police said Jackson has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty and one count of poor sanitation on the premises.

Photos: Animals Found In Filthy Conditions

Records show this is not the worst case of animal hoarding Ottumwa police have seen in their town.

Since February 2008, 30 animals have been rescued from a building not far from the Jackson home. In the past year and a half, nearly 250 animals have had to be rescued from squalor in separate incidents in Ottumwa.

There is no law in Ottumwa limiting the number of animals in one home.

Ottumwa police chief Jim Clark said it happens in every town, "I don't think setting a limit is going to keep people from hoarding."

Clark said the Jacksons are getting help but he wouldn't elaborate on the whereabouts.

Police have set up live traps to catch the cats in the Jackson's home. Police said the cats they've already rescued have had to be put to sleep becuase there were in such bad shape..."  More